by Gene Crawford | Jun 4, 2023 | Podcast
In this thought-provoking episode, we tackle the controversial question posed by YouTuber and self-defense coach, Icy Mike: Listen in as we explore the idea of needing to work through lots of things in martial arts and how the culture of having to pay for levels or black belts can be seen as a form of ‘participation trophies’. We also discuss the concept of ‘Go Hard or Go Home’ and how this can be seen as a way of taking responsibility for students quitting due to unsafe gym environments.
We then venture into the realm of the the Dunning-Kruger effect in martial arts, including the peak of Mount Stupid and the valley of despair. Hear about my personal journey through this effect and its impact on my training. We touch on the importance of not overstepping as a student in martial arts classes, and the idea that pride can be bruised when someone tries to teach instead of learn. Finally, we talk about the importance of basics in martial arts training and explore different approaches to training for real problem-solving. This episode is packed with insights and reflections that will surely resonate with martial arts practitioners and enthusiasts alike.
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by Gene Crawford | May 23, 2023 | Blog
Mastering Yourself
Continuous Learning and Improvement
The journey of mastering yourself begins with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement. It’s about expanding your knowledge, honing your skills, and developing your character. Whether it’s in your professional life, personal interests, or relationships, the pursuit of mastery requires dedication and perseverance.
To excel in your chosen field, embrace opportunities for growth and invest in your education. Stay updated with the latest industry trends, attend workshops and conferences, and seek out mentors who can guide you along the way. By consistently acquiring new knowledge and refining your skills, you become an expert in your domain, enabling you to provide exceptional value to others.
Setting Goals and Taking Action
Mastering yourself also involves setting clear goals and taking deliberate action to achieve them. Define your vision and break it down into actionable steps. By setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, you create a roadmap for success.
Take consistent action towards your goals, pushing past obstacles and staying focused on your desired outcomes. Embrace discipline, develop effective habits, and maintain a growth mindset. Remember, it’s the small daily actions that accumulate over time and lead to significant personal growth and success.
Embracing Challenges and Learning from Mistakes
True mastery requires embracing challenges and seeing them as opportunities for growth. Challenges stretch your abilities, force you out of your comfort zone, and reveal your true potential. Embrace them with open arms and a resilient mindset.
Mistakes and failures are inevitable on the path to mastery. Instead of viewing them as setbacks, perceive them as valuable learning experiences. Analyze what went wrong, extract the lessons, and make adjustments accordingly. By adopting a growth-oriented perspective, you can turn setbacks into stepping stones towards excellence.
Serving Others
Volunteering and Making a Difference
Serving others is a natural extension of mastering yourself. It involves using your skills, knowledge, and resources to make a positive impact in the lives of others. One powerful way to serve is through volunteering your time and expertise to support causes you care about.
Find organizations or initiatives aligned with your values and contribute your time and energy. Whether it’s helping the less fortunate, supporting environmental conservation, or advocating for social justice, your efforts can create tangible change in the world. By selflessly giving back, you not only uplift others but also experience a sense of fullfilment.
Sharing Knowledge and Helping Others Grow
Another significant way to serve others is by sharing your knowledge and expertise. As you master yourself in a particular field, you accumulate valuable insights and skills that can benefit others. Take the initiative to share what you’ve learned and help others grow.
You can mentor aspiring individuals, offer workshops or webinars, or even create educational content such as blog posts or videos. By empowering others with knowledge and skills, you become a catalyst for their personal and professional development. Remember, true leaders uplift those around them.
Kindness and Support
Serving others doesn’t always require grand gestures or specific expertise. Sometimes, the simplest acts of kindness and support can make a tremendous impact. A compassionate word, a helping hand, or a listening ear can brighten someone’s day and provide them with the strength to overcome their challenges.
Practice empathy and kindness in your everyday interactions. Show genuine interest in others’ well-being, offer support when needed, and celebrate their successes. By creating a supportive environment, you inspire and motivate those around you to become their best selves.
The mantra “Master Yourself; Serve Others” encapsulates the essence of personal growth and making a positive impact in the world. By focusing on mastering ourselves through continuous learning, setting goals, and embracing challenges, we become better equipped to serve others.
Serving others can take various forms, from volunteering for causes we care about to sharing knowledge and providing support. By leveraging our skills, knowledge, and character, we can make a significant difference in the lives of others and contribute to the betterment of society.
Mark Divine
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this powerful mantra that was taught to me years ago by retired Navy SEAL Commander Mark Divine:
The phrase “master yourself; serve others” means to first focus on developing your own skills, knowledge, and character, and then use those qualities to help and serve others. The idea is that by mastering yourself, you can become more confident, capable, and effective in serving others, and that serving others is a natural and rewarding extension of mastering yourself.
Mastering yourself involves taking the time and effort to learn and improve in various areas of your life, such as your work, your hobbies, or your relationships. It involves setting goals and working towards them, learning from your mistakes and experiences, and developing the qualities and skills that are necessary for personal growth and success.
Serving others, on the other hand, involves using your skills, knowledge, and character to help and support others. This can include volunteering your time and resources to support a cause that you care about, or using your expertise to help others learn and grow. It can also include simply being kind and supportive to those around you, and making a positive difference in the lives of others.
by Gene Crawford | May 21, 2023 | Podcast
In this solo episode, I share my experiences and lessons learned from over 20 years of running various businesses. I talk about the challenges I’ve faced, including a costly legal battle, which taught me the importance of paying attention to contracts and liability. I also discuss the essential qualities of a great leader, effective communication strategies, and the importance of taking time to detach and process decisions. I talk about importance of respect in building relationships and trust. Join me in this episode for valuable insights and inspiration to improve your leadership skills.
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by Gene Crawford | May 19, 2023 | Blog
Miyamoto Musashi was a Japanese swordsman, philosopher, and writer who lived from 1584 to 1645. He was renowned for his skills in the art of swordfighting, and wrote the famous book “The Book of Five Rings”, which is still studied by martial artists today. Musashi was also known for his distinctive fighting style, which involved using two swords simultaneously. He was considered one of the greatest swordsmen in Japanese history.
The Book of Five Rings is a treatise on swordsmanship and martial arts written by Miyamoto Musashi. Some of the key concepts introduced in the book include:
No-Mind
The concept of “no-mind”, or mushin, which is the state of being completely focused and free from distractions or emotions.
The concept of “no-mind” or mushin is the idea that a martial artist should be able to remain focused and free from distractions or emotions during combat. Musashi believed that this state of mind was essential for success in battle, as it allowed the martial artist to respond quickly and decisively to any situation. He wrote that “the primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy’s cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this.”
The Void
The concept of “the void”, or mushin, which is the state of being empty and free from preconceived notions or expectations.
The concept of “the void” or mushin is the idea that a martial artist should be empty and free from preconceived notions or expectations during combat. Musashi believed that this state of mind was essential for adaptability and flexibility in battle, as it allowed the martial artist to respond to any situation without being limited by preconceived notions or expectations. He wrote that “the void is not emptiness. It is rather a place of potential, a space that can be filled with any number of possibilities. When you are in the void, you are able to see all options clearly and choose the best course of action without being influenced by your own desires or expectations.”
The Strategy of the Void
The concept of “the strategy of the void”, which is the idea that a martial artist should be able to adapt to any situation without being limited by preconceived notions or expectations.
The concept of “the strategy of the void” is the idea that a martial artist should be able to adapt to any situation without being limited by preconceived notions or expectations. Musashi believed that this was the key to success in combat, as it allowed the martial artist to respond to any situation with clarity and confidence. He wrote that “the void is not just a state of mind, it is also a strategy. When you are in the void, you are able to see all options clearly and choose the best course of action without being influenced by your own desires or expectations. By following the strategy of the void, you can overcome any opponent, no matter how strong or skilled they may be.”
The Way of the Sword
The concept of “the way of the sword”, which is the idea that the pursuit of martial arts should be a lifelong journey of learning and self-improvement.
The concept of “the way of the sword” is the idea that the pursuit of martial arts should be a lifelong journey of learning and self-improvement. Musashi believed that this was the key to success in combat, as it allowed the martial artist to continually improve and adapt to changing circumstances. He wrote that “the way of the sword is not just about mastering a particular technique or style. It is about constantly seeking to improve and grow as a martial artist. It is about never being satisfied with your current level of skill, and always striving to become better. The way of the sword is a lifelong journey, and those who follow it will find that they are always learning and growing.”
The Five Rings
The concept of “the five rings”, which are the five elements of strategy that Musashi believed were essential to success in martial arts: the earth, water, fire, wind, and void.
